Hosiery with interior pocket and method of forming

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a hosiery with an interior pocket for storing items, and a method of forming the same. The hosiery takes the form of a sock having a foot portion and a body portion extending from the foot portion. The body portion has an interior and an exterior. The pocket is separately formed and attached to the interior of the body portion of the sock, with a horizontal opening on the body portion that is accessible from the exterior through an enclosure apparatus.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to hosiery items having built-in storage devices and, more particularly, to hosiery items taking the form of a sock having a body portion with an interior and an exterior, with a pocket in the interior of the body portion, and to a method of forming the same. Additionally, the pocket is accessible from the exterior of the body portion, and may be sealed using an enclosure apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] For various reasons, it may be undesirable to carry one's personal effects or other items in a pants pocket or purse. The need to be less conspicuous or provide an alternative pocket has led to the invention of various types of pockets associated with hosiery items, typically in the form of a sock with a pocket.

[0003] One form of sock pocket is constructed with a vertical opening. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,445,233 and 5,664,263, to Rubin and Reynolds respectively, a pocket is attached to a tubular body portion of a sock, but is accessible by way of a vertical opening. An inherent problem with this design is that the bottom of the pocket is near the bottom of the opening, which may result in the inadvertent loss of the pocket's contents. Additionally, if the sock were an ankle sock, there would not be sufficient space in the cuff to place a vertical opening. As such, there is a need for a pocket with a horizontal opening, where the contents of the pocket rest at a level lower than the opening, and allowing for the placement of an opening within an ankle sock.

[0004] Solving the need for a pocket with a horizontal opening has often been accomplished through the use of an external pocket. Such socks were disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,039,197; 5,027,440; 5,625,904; and 6,199,216, issued to Strieby, Morris et al., Kline, and Weatherspoon respectively. As disclosed in these patents, the external pocket is separately formed and attached to the exterior of the tubular body portion. While easily constructed, this form is generally undesirable because of the pocket's visibility. Even when empty, the extra material of the external pocket creates a bulge on the outside of the sock, thereby nullifying any attempts to make the pocket less conspicuous. Additionally, in the case of an ankle sock, an external pocket will not work because of the small size of the sock's body portion.

[0005] In an attempt to better conceal the pocket and remove it from the exterior, several inventions have been made incorporating the pocket into the cuff of the sock. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,814,807; 4,961,235; 5,133,091; 5,651,142; and 5,836,019, issued to Dollar, Willinger, Del Valle Mas, Del Valle Mas, and McCafferty respectively, disclose a pocket in which the fabric of the sock itself is used as the primary component of the pocket. As disclosed in these patents, the cuff of the sock is either folded over or given an additional layer of fabric, thereby creating the pocket. However, the entire cuff is afforded twice the amount of necessary fabric, rendering it thick and cumbersome.

[0006] In order to remove the necessity for an additional layer of fabric and better conceal the pocket, a sock was invented with a pocket placed in the interior of the body portion. This sock is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,005,494 and 4,038,699, issued to Burn. While the Burn patents solve the need for an interior pocket, the disclosed pocket is costly and difficult to manufacture because both the sock and pocket are formed as one continuous piece of fabric. Additionally, the Burn patents do not provide for an enclosure apparatus, whereby the user may seal the pocket.

[0007] Therefore, a need still exists for an interior pocket that is separately formed and attached with the sock, with a horizontal opening accessible from the exterior of the sock through an enclosure apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The hosiery in the present invention comprises a sock with an interior pocket. The sock has a foot portion connected with and extending from a body portion. The body portion has an interior, an exterior and an opening cut horizontally through it. The opening has an enclosure apparatus affixed with it. A pocket is affixed with the enclosure apparatus and hangs in the interior of the body portion. The pocket has an interior volume in communication with the opening, whereby when the sock is worn by a wearer, the pocket rests between the sock wearer's leg such that the interior volume is accessible from an exterior of the sock via the opening. Additionally, the enclosure apparatus may be operated to selectively permit access to the interior volume of the pocket from the exterior of the sock.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, the enclosure apparatus may be selected from a group consisting of a zipper, hook & loop, tie, flap, elastic band, and snap.

[0010] In addition, the sock may be constructed of at least one layer of fiber content. Further, the fiber content may be comprised of at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.

[0011] In addition, the pocket may be constructed of at least one layer of pocket fiber content. Additionally, the pocket fiber content may be comprised of at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the body portion has a circumference and the opening has a horizontal width of no more than 60% of the circumference of the body portion of the sock.

[0013] Furthermore, the sock may be an ankle sock. In this particular aspect, the pocket the body portion is reduced in length. Additionally, the pocket is positioned in the interior of the body portion, such that it rests between the body portion and the sock wearer's ankle.

[0014] The present invention may also include an enclosure apparatus that has weatherproof features.

[0015] The present invention also comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket. Specifically, the method comprises the acts of cutting a horizontal opening in the a body portion of the sock; attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening; attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric with the enclosure apparatus; attaching an opposite end of a continuous piece of fabric with the enclosure apparatus, forming two sides of the continuous piece of fabric; and attaching each of the two sides of the continuous piece of fabric unto themselves, whereby all of the attaching shall occur on the interior of the body portion, such that the pocket that has been created rests between a sock wearer's leg and the body portion of the sock.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, wherein in the act of attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening, the enclosure apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a zipper, hook & loop, tie, flap, elastic band, and snap.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, further comprising an act of selecting a sock constructed of at least one layer of fiber content.

[0018] In addition, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, wherein in the act of selecting a sock, the fiber content of the sock selected comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.

[0019] Additionally, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, wherein in the act of attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric, the continuous piece of fabric is constructed of at least one layer of pocket fiber content.

[0020] In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, wherein in the act of attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric, the pocket fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, wherein in the act of cutting a horizontal opening in the body portion of the sock, the body portion has a circumference and the opening has a horizontal width of no more than 60% of the circumference of the body portion of the sock.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, further comprising the act of selecting an ankle sock.

[0023] Finally, the present invention comprises a method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, wherein in the act of attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening, the enclosure apparatus has weatherproof features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The nature of the sock described herein will be readily apparent in the following drawings, in which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an aspect of the present invention, cut away to illustrate the interior of the body portion, with the pocket hanging in the interior of the body portion of the sock;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the horizontal opening with various enclosure apparatus;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, taken from line III-III of FIG. 2, illustrating the pocket hanging freely in the interior of the body portion;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the present invention, embodied as an ankle sock, cut away to illustrate the interior body portion, with the pocket hanging in the interior of the body portion;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the present invention, embodied as an ankle sock, illustrating the horizontal opening with various enclosure apparatus; and

[0030]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the present invention, embodied as an ankle sock, taken from line VI-VI of FIG. 5, illustrating the pocket hanging freely in the interior of the body portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The present invention relates to hosiery having a built-in pocket, and to a method of forming the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sock that has a pocket in the interior of the body portion accessible from the exterior of the body portion, and which may be sealed using an enclosure apparatus. The following description, taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings, is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of aspects. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the aspects presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Furthermore it should be noted that unless explicitly stated otherwise, the figures included herein are illustrated diagrammatically and without any specific scale, as they are provided as qualitative illustrations of the concept of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an aspect of the sock 100 in accordance with the present invention. The sock 100 is constructed of at least one layer of any suitable material, non-limiting examples of which include fiber contents such as a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features. For example, the synthetic fiber may be waterproof, or have wicking and/or other moisture resistant features. The sock 100 comprises a foot portion 102 connected with, and extending from, a body portion 104. The body portion 104 may be any suitable length, from the ankle to the bottom of the knee. The body portion 104 has an interior 106 and an exterior 108. Hanging in the interior 106 of the body portion 104 is a pocket 110. The pocket 110 is constructed of at least one layer of any suitable pocket material, non-limiting examples of which include fiber contents such as a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an opening 200 is cut horizontally on the body portion 104 of the sock 100. The body portion 104 has a circumference and the opening 200 is typically of a width no greater than 60% of the circumference of the body portion 104. The opening 200 is accessible from the exterior of the body portion 104 of the sock 100. An enclosure apparatus 202 is attached to the opening 200. The enclosure apparatus 202 may be operated to selectively permit access to the pocket 110 from the exterior of the sock 100. The enclosure apparatus 202 is made of any suitable closure means, non-limiting examples of which include a zipper, hook & loop, tie, flap, elastic band, and snap. Additionally, the enclosure apparatus 202 may have weatherproof features, preventing moisture from passing through the opening 200. For example, the enclosure apparatus may be waterproof, or have wicking and/or other moisture resistant features

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pocket 110 is attached such that it hangs inside the body portion 104 of the sock 100. The pocket 110 has an interior volume 300 where a user may store items, such as keys or money. When the sock 100 is worn, the pocket 110 rests between the body portion 104 and the sock wearer's leg such that the interior volume 300 is accessible from an exterior of the sock 100 via the opening 200. The pocket 110 is attached with the enclosure apparatus 202 by being in-sewn or by any other suitable affixing means.

[0035] Another aspect is shown in FIG. 4, where the invention takes the form of an ankle sock 400. As shown, the ankle sock body portion 402 is reduced in length.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the ankle sock 400 has an opening 200 with an enclosure apparatus 202. The enclosure apparatus 202 is made of any suitable means for closing an opening 200, non-limiting examples of which include a zipper, hook & loop, tie, flap, elastic band, and snap.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the body portion 402 of the ankle sock 400 has an interior 600 with a pocket 110. The pocket 110 is attached such that it hangs in the interior 600 of the body portion 402. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sock with an interior pocket, comprising a foot portion connected with and extending from a body portion, the body portion having an interior and an exterior with an opening cut horizontally through the body portion, and where an enclosure apparatus is affixed with the opening, and where a pocket is attached with the enclosure apparatus and hangs in the interior of the body portion, with the pocket having an interior volume in communication with the opening, whereby when the sock is worn by a wearer, the pocket rests between the sock wearer's leg such that the interior volume is accessible from an exterior of the sock via the opening, and whereby the enclosure apparatus may be operated to selectively permit access to the interior volume of the pocket from the exterior of the sock.
 2. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the enclosure apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a zipper, hook & loop, tie, flap, elastic band, and snap.
 3. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sock is constructed of at least one layer of fiber content.
 4. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 3, wherein the fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 5. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pocket is constructed of at least one layer of pocket fiber content.
 6. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 5, wherein the pocket fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 7. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body portion has a circumference and the opening has a horizontal width of no more than 60% of the circumference of the body portion of the sock.
 8. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sock is an ankle sock.
 9. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the enclosure apparatus has weatherproof features.
 10. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sock is constructed of at least one layer of fiber content.
 11. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 10, wherein the fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 12. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 11, wherein the pocket is constructed of at least one layer of pocket fiber content.
 13. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 12, wherein the pocket fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 14. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 13, wherein the body portion has a circumference and the opening has a horizontal width of no more than 60% of the circumference of the body portion of the sock.
 15. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sock is an ankle sock.
 16. The sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 15, wherein the enclosure apparatus has weatherproof features.
 17. A method for forming a sock with an interior pocket, comprising the acts of cutting a horizontal opening in the a body portion of the sock; attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening; attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric with the enclosure apparatus; attaching an opposite end of a continuous piece of fabric with the enclosure apparatus, forming two sides of the continuous piece of fabric; and attaching each of the two sides of the continuous piece of fabric unto themselves, whereby all of the attaching shall occur on the interior of the body portion, such that the pocket that has been created rests between a sock wearer's leg and the body portion of the sock.
 18. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 17, wherein in the act of attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening, the enclosure apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a zipper, hook & loop, tie, flap, elastic band, and snap.
 19. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 17, further comprising an act of selecting a sock constructed of at least one layer of fiber content.
 20. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 19, wherein in the act of selecting a sock, the fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 21. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 17, wherein in the act of attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric, the continuous piece of fabric is constructed of at least one layer of pocket fiber content.
 22. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 21, wherein in the act of attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric, the pocket fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 23. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 17, wherein in the act of cutting a horizontal opening in the body portion of the sock, the body portion has a circumference and the opening has a horizontal width of no more than 60% of the circumference of the body portion of the sock.
 24. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the act of selecting an ankle sock.
 25. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 17, wherein in the act of attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening, the enclosure apparatus has weatherproof features.
 26. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 18, wherein in the act of attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric with the enclosure apparatus, the continuous piece of fabric is constructed of at least one layer of pocket fiber content.
 27. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 26, wherein in the act attaching a first end of a continuous piece of fabric with the enclosure apparatus, the pocket fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend, or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 28. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 27, wherein in the act of cutting a horizontal opening in the body portion of the sock, the body portion has a circumference and the opening has a horizontal width of no more than 60% of the circumference of the body portion of the sock.
 29. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 28, wherein in the act of attaching an enclosure apparatus with the horizontal opening, the enclosure apparatus has weatherproof features.
 30. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 29, further comprising an act of selecting a sock constructed of at least one layer of fiber content.
 31. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 30, wherein in the act of selecting a sock, the fiber content comprises at least one item selected from a group consisting of a cotton blend, a wool blend or a synthetic fiber blend with weatherproof features.
 32. The method for forming a sock with an interior pocket as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the act of selecting an ankle sock. 